Chris, to discuss the games such as beets is why this thread was created. It is so we can have fun in the threads, keep them going.. AND be able to say what needs said about them.

As far as the picture goes, it is a cat that has been mostly shaved. I have no idea if it was photoshopped or a medical condition required shaving, but I CERTAINLY see no sense of animal cruelty. Perhaps you notice something I did not?!?

I am really getting tired of people being "surprised" and "disappointed" in me without saying WHY!! So spit it out!
Janice

As I said Soft, if that is a true picture then I accept that the animal probably did not suffer because of being shaved, but surely of course it is now a heck of a lot colder in the winter without most of its fur.

Assuming that it was done for fun or amusement then that is totally abhorrent, and is completely unacceptable. You do not treat innocent animals or pets in that way, at least not while I have anything to do with it. If I saw that cat in the UK, I would report the owners immediately to the RSPCA, PDSA, and the police. And I would take out a private prosecution in court against them, plus naming and shaming then in every national newspaper.

I also know a couple of likely lads that would be quite happy to pour a gallon of red paint through their letterbox at 3am one morning, for a weeks beer money, and you'd be amazed what box cutters can do to tires ....

I am disappointed in you because up until now I thought that you were on the side of animal welfare, and I think that the use of that picture as an object of ridicule for a cheap caption, was a sad error of judgement. That's my honest opinion. And I might add I have 3 pm's agreeing with me ....

You said spit it out so I have. No hidden agendas with me, what you get is what you see. No hard feelings Janice, I just think that on this occasion you got it wrong.

that is fine Chris.. but I think that is really taking a jump of many conclusions to become offended. It is cold? I have no idea if this was done summer or winter. Nor the reasons. I see the cat looks silly. I see no sign of the cat being harmed in any way. I think people putting sweaters on their dogs as far more silly looking and potentially uncomfortable to their pets.

If I saw the animal as being harmed or terrorized in any way I would join you in your offense. I do not. In fact to me due to the coloring it looks VERY photo-shopped. We have some photo-shop experts around here that might give a more definitive answer.

If in fact the cat was shaved, there are more than likely reasons it was done.
The cat could have gotten is fur covered in paint or glue. Why the rest of the fur would not be trimmed(or if the photo was done during the trimming process) is the only thing that makes it stand out as unusual.

Sorry, it is to me. I'm sure that Mark the kittyman and maybe Ang could probably explain it better than I can. And yes I was deadly serious about about my intended actions. I have been involved before in animals being re-homed, and their their owners prosecuted, and been commended for it.

On this occasion as intelligent adults, we will just have to agree to disagree then won't we. A happy New year to you anyway Janice :-)

If somebody had this done to kitty for 'fun', I would suggest kitty be taken from them for placement in a proper loving home and those responsible have their heads examined.
I am however, aware of a few kitties over the years that even though their caretakers made proper attempts at grooming them, had coats that would become so matted over the year that an annual complete shaving was the only way of dealing with it, and kitty was more comfortable in the long run.
And one or two cases where kitty was running loose and got into burrs or such and it was impossible to properly remove them other than by shaving. Kitty would have looked even sillier with numerous bald spots here and there. Better to shave the lot and let the coat grow back evenly.
Since we have no way of knowing the circumstances surrounding this particular kitty's hairdo, it's kind of pointless doing any gnashing of teeth over it.

And the pic has been around a number of years, I believe.Always remember.....kitties are all Angels with fur.

I also know a couple of likely lads that would be quite happy to pour a gallon of red paint through their letterbox at 3am one morning, for a weeks beer money, and you'd be amazed what box cutters can do to tires ....

Whatever was done by whom it can never and should never elicit that sort of response from a civilised person. I hope that was said as a joke.

Think it through, on gallon of red paint poured over said persons cat or dog that comes to investigate noise at front door. "Sometimes it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine."

Thanks for the response Mark. Looking again at the picture it still looks to me to be done deliberately for the effect, and not for medical reasons. But of course I cannot prove it one way of the other. I just think that the choice of pic was in poor taste.

Bernie, I do not joke about animal welfare, I have had people banned for life from keeping animals in the past by my actions. People who mistreat animals are uncivilised, and my sort of intended retribution is the only sort of treatment they would understand. I haven't done it so far yet, but I would do it, sorry if you disagree. Of course no other animal would be harmed.

In my 20's I was out one day when I saw a dog in a garden in a very sorry state, it was badly limping and covered in sores, and whimpering and scratching at a door to get in. I phoned the police who transferred me to the RSPCA and I reported it. 2 days later I got a call from the local RSPCA inspector to say that they had been round there and taken the dog away to be treated by vets for a broken leg and many other problems. It wouldn't be returned to the owners but eventually re-homed, and they were going to be prosecuted and a life ban sought, which in fact did happen.

I was thanked for bringing it to their attention, but I went further. I dropped a note though every house in that road informing them of the situation. A month later there was a for sale sign up on the house.

If as a result of my recent posts some people wish to disassociate themselves from me, then so be it, I will be genuinely sorry but accept it as a price to pay for my beliefs. Anyhow enough is enough and I think we can move on to other matters.

In my 20's I was out one day when I saw a dog in a garden in a very sorry state, it was badly limping and covered in sores, and whimpering and scratching at a door to get in. I phoned the police who transferred me to the RSPCA and I reported it. 2 days later I got a call from the local RSPCA inspector to say that they had been round there and taken the dog away to be treated by vets for a broken leg and many other problems. It wouldn't be returned to the owners but eventually re-homed, and they were going to be prosecuted and a life ban sought, which in fact did happen.

My point is, as you demonstrated, that taking the correct action does bring results, what you propose could and I stress could harm animals you are trying to protect and puts you on the wrong side of the law. I abhor mistreatment of animals and would report anyone I suspect as you did. You cannot say "ah well I would break the law as animals cannot defend themselves" otherwise where will it end, children, disabled people, elderly etc.."Sometimes it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine."